The High Court in Embu has directed the partial recounting of the ballots in the controversial Mbeere North by-election, casting further doubt on the handling of the election.
In its ruling on Friday, the High Court, through judge Richard Mwongo, said some of the issues presented to the court were significant enough to warrant further investigation, despite the court’s dismissal of the main allegations, including voter bribery, surrounding the election. The election, held in November 2025, declared Leonard Wamuthende, who represented UDA, the winner.
The judge directed the partial recounting of the ballots to be done only in some of the polling stations where the issues arose, including the ballot box identified as “Ballot Box No. 135”, which contained election materials delivered to the tallying center without proper documentation.
The ruling also includes the examination of voter registers and KIEMS kit logs for a number of polling stations, such as the Siakago Social Hall and Mwondu and Gikuyari Primary Schools. There will also be a recount of votes in the Gitiburi polling stations, where a fire was reported, and Kaungu, where voting was suspended temporarily due to chaos and overcrowding.
In addition, the court directed the review of forms used in the elections from various polling stations following claims of alteration of the forms.
The Mbeere North by-election had been marred by tension following reports of violence and irregularities on the day of the polls, prompting the petitions filed to challenge the outcome of the polls.
In reaction to the ruling, the Democratic Party’s Justin Muturi applauded the ruling, terming it a step towards transparency.
“This is a major victory for truth and the will of the people. The court has allowed a proper look into what happened,” he said.
The recount is set to bring to light the conduct of the polls as the hearing of the case continues.
